Middle River Man Convicted Of Child Abuse, Assault Of Kids In His Care

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A Middle River man has been convicted of child abuse and assault involving two children in his care at an Abingdon home, who said that Douglas Grazuties, 36, physically harmed them almost every day.

Trial evidence showed that on Jan. 10, 2024, Child Protective Services staffers talked to children in the home, who told investigators Grazuties would slap them on the head, punch them in the face and chest, then trip them if they ran away. Grazuties had given them bloody noses, and attacked one child on their seventh birthday.

One of the children said that on Jan. 9, 2024, the victim was playing with their sister in their bedroom when she put a toy in her mouth. Grazuties saw this and put a toy in one of the victim’s mouths, pushing the toy in with his fingers while saying, “How does it feel to choke on something?”

The victim also told CPS he was bleeding from his ear during the interview because Grazuties hit him two days earlier when the child didn't answer a question about his day. The child was later taken to the Upper Chesapeake Emergency Room by CPS and diagnosed with perforation of the tympanic membrane of his right ear. Doctors said there was a high risk of hearing loss associated with the injury without treatment.

The other child victim also was seen at Express Care and diagnosed with marginal perforations of tympanic membrane consistent with the abuse the children reported. Child Protective Services workers also noticed bruising and redness on both victim’s faces and chests during their interviews.

Grazuties was found guilty of second-degree child abuse, two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of reckless endangerment. He is being held at the Harford County Detention Center pending sentencing, which is set for May 22.

“Working with victims of child abuse is an incredibly challenging and sensitive area of the law. We are lucky to have one of the best Child Advocacy Centers in the state of Maryland, filled with professionals who have dedicated their lives to helping children," said State’s Attorney Alison Healey. "I commend these children for their bravery and honesty in coming forward and reliving their traumas, which ultimately led to the conviction in this case. I hope this verdict will result in a more peaceful future for both victims."